Popovich believes Sampson is suited for an NBA coaching job

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Popovich serves as mentor
The first call Rockets acting coach Kelvin Sampson received after the team beat the Lakers on Tuesday came from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, but that was not the call Sampson appreciates most.

That one came within 48 hours after Sampson was let go by Indiana, with Popovich offering an invitation to a role on his staff that Sampson called “the ultimate lifeline.”

“You could tell very quickly he had the ability to bring the respect of the players,” Popovich said. “He has a confidence in his abilities to understand what’s going on at the NBA level. He knows how to get the best out of people. And he’s a competitive son of a (gun).”

Sampson and Popovich have been friends since working on the 2002 World Championships USA Basketball staff. When Sampson left Indiana following NCAA sanctions (for violations he disputed and are no longer against the rules), Popovich invited Sampson to join him immediately in San Antonio.

“We hit the trail real quickly,” Popovich said. “I really enjoyed his counsel. He was like part of the staff from day one.

“He can be fantastic (as an NBA coach). It’s in his blood. The NBA is where he belongs.”

A consultant with Popovich for three months, Sampson rode to and from Spurs home games with Popovich.

“Learning from the master was so important to me. I could see how he handles every situation imaginable,” Sampson said. “He was very good to me and I’m very appreciative. I don’t think I have this position with the Houston Rockets if not for Pop.”

Benches playing different roles
The Rockets and Spurs rely heavily on their bench, but Rockets acting coach Kelvin Sampson said there is an important difference.

He has had to go to his bench while San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich’s bench is a luxury to rest starters with no drop-off.

“I don’t know if you want your bench to have to be good every night,” Sampson said. “The bench is probably more important to the Spurs because of Pop liking to rest his guys. But they have been important to us.”